Short-range RF access point design enabling services to master and slave mobile devices

ABSTRACT

A short-range RF access point contains two Bluetooth devices. The first device is programmed to remain a master device. The second device is programmed to remain a scanning slave device. The two devices are connected to exchange clock, address, and synchronization information. The access point master device transmits inquiry and paging packets and establishes connections with potential slave devices that respond to inquiries from the master device. The master device&#39;s clock is the piconet clock for the resulting connections. The access point slave device primarily remains in an inquiry scanning mode, searching for inquiry packets from mobile devices that are potential master devices. When the access point slave device receives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device, it then passes control to the access point master device. Several embodiments are disclosed for passing control from the access point slave to the access point master.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention disclosed broadly relates to ubiquitous computingand more particularly relates to improvements in short range RFtechnology.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Short-range RF systems have a typical range of one hundred metersor less. They often combine with systems wired to the Internet toprovide communication over long distances. The category of short-rangeRF systems includes wireless personal area networks (PANs) and wirelesslocal area networks (LANs). They have the common feature of operating inunlicensed portions of the radio spectrum, usually either in the 2.4 GHzIndustrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band or the 5 GHzUnlicensed-National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) band. Wirelesspersonal area networks use low cost, low power wireless devices thathave a typical range of ten meters. The best-known example of wirelesspersonal area network technology is the Bluetooth Standard, whichoperates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. It provides a peak air link speed ofone Mbps and a power consumption low enough for use in personal,portable electronics such as PDAs and mobile phones. Wireless local areanetworks (LANs) generally operate at higher peak speeds of between 10 to100 Mbps and have a longer range, which requires greater powerconsumption. Wireless local area networks are typically used as wirelesslinks from portable laptop computers to a wired LAN, via an access point(AP). Examples of wireless local area network technology include theIEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN Standard and the HIPERLAN Standard, whichoperates in the 5 GHz U-NII band.

[0003] Bluetooth is a short-range radio network, originally intended asa cable replacement. It can be used to create ad hoc networks of up toeight devices operating together. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group,Specification Of The Bluetooth System, Volumes 1 and 2, Core andProfiles: Version 1.1, Feb. 22, 2001, describes the principles ofBluetooth device operation and communication protocols. The devicesoperate in the 2.4 GHz radio band reserved for general use byIndustrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) applications. Bluetoothdevices are designed to find other Bluetooth devices within their tenmeter radio communications range and to discover what services theyoffer.

[0004] A connection between two Bluetooth devices is initiated by aninquiring device sending out an inquiry message searching for otherdevices in its vicinity. Any other Bluetooth device that is listening bymeans of conducting an inquiry scan, will recognize the inquiry messageand respond. The inquiry response is a frequency hop synchronization(FHS) packet containing all of the information required by the inquiringdevice to address the responding device. This information includes clockvalue of the sender (i.e., the responding device) and the sender'scorrect device access code. The access code includes the lower addresspart (LAP) and the upper address part (UAP) of the sender's BluetoothDevice Address (BD_ADDR), a unique, 48-bit IEEE address that iselectronically engraved into each Bluetooth device.

[0005] Each Bluetooth device synchronizes transmit and receive dataexchanges with other Bluetooth devices using its own real time clockcounter or time of day counter. The clock counter has a 28 bit countwhich is reset to zero at power-on and free-runs thereafter,incrementing every half slot of 312.5 microseconds. The clock countertherefore defines a slot interval of 625 microseconds. The clock counterwraps approximately once per day. Every device has its own nativefree-running clock counter that controls the timing and operation ofthat device, referred to as “CLKN”. If a device is operating as a masterdevice, it controls the piconet using its own clock CLKN as its internalreference timing. If a device is operating as a slave device, then itstiming must be exactly synchronized with that of the master in itspiconet. To synchronize with the master, the slave device must add anoffset value onto its own native clock CLKN to derive a new clock value“CLK” which is its estimate of the master's clock CLKN. If a device isoperating as a master device, it creates an estimate clock value “CLKE”,which is an estimate of the CLK in a slave device with which the masteris establishing a connection, prior to the slave having becomesynchronized with the master. The lowest two bits of CLK are directlyused to define the beginning of the slots and half-slots fortransmitting and receiving packets. A master transmission in theconnected state always starts when CLK=00, and a slave transmission inthe connected state always starts when CLK=10. A finer synchronizationcan then be achieved by a device using the synchronization word in thereceived packets to re-align the timing.

[0006] The Bluetooth transceiver is a frequency-hopping spread-spectrumradio system operating over 79 radio frequency channels, each being onemegahertz wide. The radio hops at a rate of 1600 hops per second,pseudo-randomly across all 79 of these frequencies. The residenceinterval for the radio remaining at any one frequency is the slot timeof 625 microseconds per hop. The hop channel selection function is amapping algorithm which follows a different sequence, depending on thelink control state: [1] page or inquiry state; [2] page response orinquiry response state; [3] page scan or inquiry scan state; or [4]connection state. For a particular one of these four hop channelsequences, the current frequency in that sequence depends on the loweraddress part (LAP) and upper address part (UAP) of the suppliedBluetooth Device Address (BD-ADDR), and it depends on the current CLKvalue.

[0007] The inquiring device will become the master and the respondingdevice will become the slave in the eventual piconet, if a connection isestablished. To establish a connection, the inquiring device must enterthe page state. The inquiring/paging device uses the informationprovided in the inquiry response packet, to prepare and send a pagingmessage to the responding device. The inquiring/paging device uses theestimated clock CLKE and access code of the responding device (i.e., theeventual slave device) to temporarily synchronize with it. Since theinquiring/paging device intends to be the master, it includes anassignment of an active member address (AM-ADDR) in the paging message.The paging message sent by the inquiring/paging device is also afrequency hop synchronization (FHS) packet containing all of theinformation required by the responding device to directly reply to theinquiring/paging device. This information includes clock value of thesender (i.e., the inquiring/paging device) and the inquiring/pagingdevice's correct device access code. The responding device must be inthe page scan state to allow the inquiring/paging device to connect withit. Once in the page scan state, the responding device will receive thepaging packet that provides the clock timing and access code of theinquiring/paging device. The responding device responds with a pageacknowledgment packet. This enables the two devices to form a connectionand both devices transition into the connection state. Theinquiring/paging device that has initiated the connection assumes therole of a master device and the responding device assumes the role of aslave device in a new ad hoc network piconet, using the CLK clock timingand access code of the master device.

[0008] Each piconet has one master device and up to seven active slavedevices. All communication is directed between the master device andeach respective slave device. The master initiates an exchange of dataand the slave responds to the master. When two slave devices are tocommunicate with each other, they must do so through the master device.The master device maintains the piconet's network clock and controlswhen each slave device can communicate with the master device. Membersof the ad hoc network piconet join and leave as they move into and outof the range of the master device. Piconets support distributedactivities, such as multi-user gateways to the Internet or to a contentserver, wherein one device serves as the access point and is connectedto an infrastructure network or content server. A user's device thatjoins a multi-user gateway piconet, does so to enable its user to accessthe infrastructure network or content server.

[0009] During ongoing piconet operation, a master Bluetooth devicetransmits on even-numbered slots and receives on odd numbered slots.Each of up to seven active slave devices can take its turn transmittingon one of the odd numbered slots. A slave transmits only if the masterhas transmitted to it on the previous even slot. This tighttime-division duplex timing cannot be maintained when the master deviceis sending inquiry packets to attract still another slave device. Thespeed of establishing a connection with a new slave device is alsoimpaired.

[0010] A master Bluetooth device transmits two inquiry packets per sloton successive even slots. The master listens for a response in bothhalves of its following receive slot. If the master receives the inquiryresponse packet in the first half of its receive slot, it cannot receivea response from a second slave in the second half of the slot because itdoes not have the time to hop to a second frequency. Thus, the availablebandwidth of a master device for normal traffic is reduced when themaster engages in the inquiry and paging with a new potential slavedevice. When the master device is an access point serving as a gatewayfor multiple mobile devices to an infrastructure network, it isimportant to maintain the highest traffic bandwidth. It is alsoimportant not to impair the speed in establishing a connection with anew slave device.

[0011] The Bluetooth device in an access point may also receive aninquiry packet from a mobile device. If the access point device replieswith an inquiry response packet, the access point device is potentiallythe slave in the eventual second piconet to be formed between the twodevices. The access point device forms two device domains, one is themaster domain with its master clock serving the existing piconet. Thesecond domain is the slave domain where the access point device adoptsthe clock of the mobile device serving as a master in the secondpiconet. A slave device can only have one master device. Access pointdevices are therefore typically programmed to then signal for amaster-slave role switch. Any Bluetooth device can be programmed torequest a switch in roles with respect to another device it iscommunicating with. The master in a access point is typically programmedto allow it to be paged and connected to a mobile device, forming atemporary slave domain in the access point device. It is programmed tothen send a request to the mobile device to switch roles. If the mobiledevice agrees, then the access point device must send detailedinformation on its clock, so that the mobile device can move onto theaccess point device's timing. The access point device sends an FHSpacket to give the timing information and a new active member address tothe mobile device. Then both devices switch to the frequency hopsequence of the access point device. The access point device then sendsa POLL packet to the mobile device, which is now a slave device, to testthe new link. In this manner, the slave domain of the access pointdevice imposes its clock onto the paired mobile device and they switchmaster/slave roles. The two domains in the access point then merge intothe single master domain and its clock serves as the master clock forall of the slave devices. During the period when the access point ismanaging both a master and a slave domain, tight time-division duplextiming cannot be maintained and its bandwidth is impaired. The speed ofestablishing a connection with a new slave device is also impaired.

[0012]FIG. 5 illustrates an example prior art system, where the accesspoint 140′ can have one or more prior art Bluetooth communicationmodules 140A, 140B, and 140C. The modules 140A, 140B, and 140C functionindependently. This causes bandwidth problems whenever a new mobiledevice 10A, 100B, or 100C is trying to join to an existing ad-hocnetwork 110A, 110B, or 110C, respectively. For example, if modules 140A,140B, and 140C are functioning independently, then when a mobile device110A sends an Inquiry message, it is possible that more than one of theaccess point modules 140A, 140B, and 140C receive the messages andresponds by sending an Inquiry Response message. This coincidentresponse by two or more access point modules 140A, 140B, and 140C leadsto a situation where communication with other mobiles is pointlesslyhindered.

[0013] What is needed is a way to solve the problem of limited bandwidthof a Bluetooth access point, and to shorten the time required by theaccess point when establishing connection with both mobile masterdevices and mobile slave devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The invention solves the problem of how to maximize bandwidth ofan access point and the speed of its establishing a connection with bothmobile master devices and mobile slave devices. In accordance with theinvention, the short range RF access point contains two Bluetoothdevices. The first device is programmed to remain a master device. Thesecond device is programmed to remain a scanning slave device. The twodevices are connected to exchange clock, address, and synchronizationinformation. The access point master device transmits inquiry and pagingpackets and establishes connections with potential slave devices thatrespond to inquiries from the master device. The master device's clockis the piconet clock for the resulting connections.

[0015] The access point slave device primarily remains in an inquiryscanning mode, searching for inquiry packets from mobile devices thatare potential master devices. When the access point slave devicereceives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device, itthen passes control to the access point master device. There are twoembodiments for passing control from the access point slave to theaccess point master.

[0016] In a first embodiment, after the access point slave devicereceives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device,the access point slave device aborts the normal step of sending a pageresponse, and instead, it passes to the access point master device, theaddress and clock values of the mobile device received in the mobiledevice's paging packet. The access point master device can then directlypage the mobile device. If the mobile device is programmed toperiodically scan for inquiries and pages (which is a common programmingpractice), a connection can be readily established with the access pointmaster device. In this embodiment, the access point master device canmaintain the highest traffic bandwidth and not impair the speed inestablishing a connection with a new slave device.

[0017] In a second embodiment, after the access point slave devicereceives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device,the access point slave device establishes a temporary piconet with themobile device. Then the access point slave device signals for amaster-slave role switch, whereby the access point slave device imposesits clock onto the paired mobile device and they switch master/slaveroles. The clock value and address used by the access point slave devicein the role switch is the clock and address of the access point masterdevice. The active member address (AM_ADDR) assigned to the mobiledevice is the next available slave-member number for the access pointmaster device. Then, the access point slave device, which has assumed atemporary master role, transfers the connection formed with the mobiledevice, to the access point master device. In this manner, the bandwidthof the programmed master device is not impaired when the access pointforms an initial connection with a mobile master device.

[0018] In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention, theBluetooth access point contains three Bluetooth devices. [a] The firstdevice is a piconet managing master device programmed to remain a masterdevice and to manage existing connections with mobile slave devices in apiconet. [b] The second device is a scanning slave device programmed toprimarily remain a slave device and to form connections with mobilemaster devices. [c] The third device is an inquiring/paging masterdevice programmed to transmit inquiry and paging packets and establishconnections with potential slave devices that respond to its inquiries.The three devices are connected to exchange clock, address, andsynchronization information. The [a] piconet managing master deviceclock is used as the piconet clock for the resulting connections withmobile devices. When the [c] inquiring/paging master device forms aconnection with a slave device, it hands off the new slave device to the[a] piconet managing master device.

[0019] The access point slave device primarily remains in an inquiryscanning mode, searching for inquiry packets from mobile devices thatare potential master devices. When the access point slave devicereceives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device, itthen passes control to the access point to one of the two masterdevices. There are two embodiments for passing control from the accesspoint slave device.

[0020] In a first embodiment, after the access point slave devicereceives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device,the access point slave device aborts the normal step of sending a pageresponse, and instead, it passes to the access point [c]inquiring/paging master device, the address and clock values of themobile device received in the mobile device's paging packet. The accesspoint [c] inquiring/paging master device can then directly page themobile device. If the mobile device is programmed to periodically scanfor inquiries and pages, a connection can be readily established withthe access point [c] inquiring/paging master device. Then, the [c]inquiring/paging master device passes the mobile's connection to thepiconet managing master device. In this embodiment, the access pointpiconet managing master device can maintain the highest trafficbandwidth and not impair the speed in establishing a connection with anew slave device.

[0021] In a second embodiment, after the access point slave devicereceives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device,the access point slave device establishes a temporary piconet with themobile device. Then the access point slave device signals for amaster-slave role switch, whereby the access point slave device imposesits clock onto the paired mobile device and they switch master/slaveroles. The clock value and address used by the access point slave devicein the role switch is the clock and address of the access point piconetmanaging master device. The active member address (AM_ADDR) assigned tothe mobile device is the next available slave-member number for theaccess point piconet managing master device. Then, the access pointslave device, which has assumed a temporary master role, transfers theconnection formed with the mobile device, to the access point piconetmanaging master device.

[0022] In another alternate embodiment of the invention, the accesspoint includes two devices, the piconet managing master device and thehybrid master/slave device. The hybrid master/slave device blends thefeatures of the scanning slave device and the inquiring/paging masterdevice.

[0023] In another alternate embodiment, the invention can be embodied asa wireless transceiver that is either a fixed station access point oralternately a mobile wireless transceiver. The managing master device inthe transceiver, manages existing connections with mobile slave devicesin a wireless network. The scanning slave device in the transceiver,forms connections with mobile master devices. The inquiring/pagingmaster device in the transceiver, transmits inquiry and paging packetsand establishes connections with potential slave devices that respond.In one implementation, the wireless transceiver is a stationary accesspoint coupled to an infrastructure network. In another implementation,the wireless transceiver is a mobile wireless transceiver. In stillanother embodiment, the scanning slave device and the inquiring/pagingmaster are the same hybrid device, the hybrid device being programmed toperiodically operate as the scanning slave device and alternately as theinquiring/paging master device.

[0024] In this manner, the bandwidth and connection speed of themanaging master device is not impaired when an initial connection isformed with a mobile master device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025]FIG. 1 is a network diagram of one embodiment of the invention,showing mobile Bluetooth devices 100A and 100B as members of the piconet110 managed by the Bluetooth piconet managing master device 140A of theaccess point 140. Mobile device 100C is in the vicinity of the accesspoint 140. The access point 140 also includes the scanning slave device140B and, in this particular embodiment, an inquiring/paging masterdevice 140C. The access point 140 is connected to the infrastructurenetwork including the LAN 142 and Internet 144. The Internet isconnected to content servers and other networks. Each Bluetooth devicein the access point of this embodiment of the invention is assigned to aspecific function: managing master, scanning slave, or inquiring/pagingmaster.

[0026]FIG. 1A illustrates the preferred embodiment wherein the accesspoint 140 includes two devices, the piconet managing master device 140Aand the scanning slave device 140B. This figure shows the scanning slavedevice 140B receiving an inquiry and page at step 122 from the mobiledevice 100C. In a first embodiment, after the access point slave devicereceives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device,the access point slave device aborts the page response at step 123, andpasses the mobile device's address and clock values at step 124′ to thepiconet managing master device 140A.

[0027]FIG. 1B illustrates the preferred embodiment in the stagefollowing FIG. 1A, wherein the piconet managing master device 140A usesthe mobile device's address and clock values to send a page packet atstep 125′ to the mobile device 100C. If the mobile device is in aperiodic page scan mode, then a connection can be established at step126 with the piconet managing master device 140A.

[0028]FIG. 1C illustrates the preferred embodiment in the stagefollowing FIG. 1B, wherein the mobile device 100C has become a piconetslave to the piconet managing master device 140A in the piconet 110.

[0029]FIG. 1D illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein the accesspoint 140 includes three devices, the piconet managing master device140A, the scanning slave device 140B, and the inquiring/paging masterdevice 140C. This figure shows the scanning slave device 140B receivingan inquiry and page at step 122 from the mobile device 100C, abortingthe page response at step 123, and passing the mobile device's addressand clock values at step 124 to the inquiring/paging master device 140C.

[0030]FIG. 1E illustrates the alternate embodiment in the stagefollowing FIG. 1D, wherein the inquiring/paging master device 140C usesthe mobile device's address and clock values to send a page packet atstep 125 to the mobile device 100C. If the mobile device is in aperiodic page scan mode, then a connection can be established at step126 with the inquiring/paging master device 140C.

[0031]FIG. 1F illustrates the alternate embodiment in the stagefollowing FIG. 1E, wherein the inquiring/paging master device 140Cpasses the mobile's connection in step 127 to the piconet managingmaster device 140A. The mobile device 100C has become a piconet slave tothe piconet managing master device 140A in the piconet 110.

[0032]FIG. 2A illustrates the preferred embodiment wherein the accesspoint 140 includes two devices, the piconet managing master device 140Aand the scanning slave device 140B. This figure shows a secondembodiment, wherein after the inquiry and page have been received instep 222, the access point slave device establishes a temporary piconetwith the mobile device in step 223.

[0033]FIG. 2B illustrates the preferred embodiment in the stagefollowing FIG. 2A, wherein the access point slave device signals for amaster-slave role switch in step 224 and the mobile device switches tothe slave role in step 225. Then, the access point slave device, whichhas assumed a temporary master role, transfers the connection formedwith the mobile device, to the access point piconet managing masterdevice at step 226.

[0034]FIG. 2C illustrates the preferred embodiment in the stagefollowing FIG. 2B, wherein the mobile device 100C has become a piconetslave to the piconet managing master device 140A in the piconet 110.

[0035]FIG. 2D illustrates the alternate embodiment wherein the accesspoint 140 includes three devices, the piconet managing master device140A, the scanning slave device 140B, and the inquiring/paging masterdevice 140C. This figure shows a second embodiment, wherein after theinquiry and page have been received in step 222, the access point slavedevice establishes a temporary piconet with the mobile device in step223.

[0036]FIG. 2E illustrates the alternate embodiment in the stagefollowing FIG. 2D, wherein the access point slave device signals for amaster-slave role switch in step 224 and the mobile device switches tothe slave role in step 225. Then, the access point slave device, whichhas assumed a temporary master role, transfers the connection formedwith the mobile device, to the access point piconet managing masterdevice at step 226.

[0037]FIG. 2F illustrates the alternate embodiment in the stagefollowing FIG. 2E, wherein the mobile device 100C has become a piconetslave to the piconet managing master device 140A in the piconet 110.

[0038]FIG. 3A illustrates the preferred embodiment wherein the accesspoint 140 includes two devices, the piconet managing master device 140Aand the scanning slave device 140B. This figure shows the access pointmaster device transmitting inquiry and paging packets and establishing aconnection with the mobile slave device.

[0039]FIG. 3B illustrates the preferred embodiment in the stagefollowing FIG. 3A, wherein the mobile device 100C has become a piconetslave to the piconet managing master device 140A in the piconet 110.

[0040]FIG. 3C illustrates the alternate embodiment wherein the accesspoint 140 includes three devices, the piconet managing master device140A, the scanning slave device 140B, and the inquiring/paging masterdevice 140C. This figure shows the inquiring/paging master device 140Ctransmitting inquiry and paging packets in step 321 and establishing aconnection with the mobile slave device in step 322. Theinquiring/paging master device 140C then passes the mobile's connectionto the piconet managing master device 140A in step 323.

[0041]FIG. 3D illustrates the alternate embodiment in the stagefollowing FIG. 3C, wherein the mobile device 100C has become connectedas a piconet slave in step 324 to the piconet managing master device140A in the piconet 110.

[0042]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein the accesspoint 140 includes two devices, the piconet managing master device 140Aand the hybrid master/slave device 140D. The hybrid master/slave device140D blends the features of the scanning slave device 140B and theinquiring/paging master device 140C.

[0043]FIG. 5 illustrates an example prior art system, where the accesspoint 140′ can have one or more prior art Bluetooth communicationmodules 140A, 140B, and 140C that function independently.

DISCUSSION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0044] In the following description of the preferred embodiment,reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments inwhich the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0045] The invention is a method, system, and computer program productto maximize bandwidth of a short range RF access point and the speed ofits establishing a connection with both mobile master devices and mobileslave devices. The invention provides an access point with a firstBluetooth device programmed as a master device and a second Bluetoothdevice programmed as a scanning slave device. The access point masterdevice is programmed to transmit inquiry and paging packets and toestablish connections with mobile slave devices that respond to itsinquiries. The access point slave device in programmed to primarilyremain in an inquiry scanning mode to search for inquiry packets frommobile devices that are potential master devices and to pass control tothe access point master device upon receiving a paging packet from amobile device.

[0046] In the network of FIG. 1 illustrating one embodiment of theinvention, mobile Bluetooth devices 100A and 100B are existing membersof the piconet 110, and are managed by the Bluetooth piconet managingmaster device 140A of the access point 140. Bluetooth device 100Acommunicates over radio link 120A and Bluetooth device 100B communicatesover radio link 120B with the Bluetooth piconet managing master device140A. Piconet managing master device 140A manages up to seven activeslave devices 100A, 100B, etc. All communication is directed between themanaging master device 140A and each respective slave device. Themanaging master device 140A initiates an exchange of data and the slaveresponds to the master. When two slave devices are to communicate witheach other, they must do so through the managing master device 140A. Themanaging master device 140A maintains the piconet's network clock andcontrols when each slave device can communicate with the managing masterdevice 140A. Members of the ad hoc network piconet 110 join and leave asthey move into and out of the range of the managing master device 140A.During ongoing piconet operation, managing master device 140A transmitson even-numbered slots and receives on odd numbered slots. Each of up tosix slave devices 100A, 100B, etc. can take its turn transmitting on oneof the odd numbered slots. A slave transmits only if the master hastransmitted to it on the previous even slot.

[0047] The access point 140 also includes the scanning slave device140B. The scanning slave device 140B is programmed to listen for aninquiring mobile device sending out an inquiry message. The scanningslave device 140B listens by means of conducting an inquiry scan torecognize the inquiry message. When it detects an inquiry message, itresponds by sending an inquiry response, which is a frequency hopsynchronization (FHS) packet containing all of the information requiredby the mobile device to address the scanning slave device 140B. Thisinformation includes clock value of the scanning slave device 140B andits access code. The access code is the lower address part (LAP) and theupper address part (UAP) of a Bluetooth Device Address (BD_ADDR). Thereare several alternatives that the scanning slave device 140B can use forits access code. In one embodiment, it can use its own BD_ADDR.Alternately, the scanning slave device 140B can use the BD_ADDR of thepiconet managing master device 140A, since ultimately the mobile devicewill be shifted to its piconet 110. The piconet managing master device140A may be programmed to ignore paging packets addressed to itsBD_ADDR, so that only the scanning slave device 140B will respond. Themobile device uses the information provided in the inquiry responsepacket, to prepare and send a paging packet to the scanning slave device140B. To establish a connection, the mobile device must enter the pagestate. In the page state, the mobile device will transmit initial pagingmessages to the scanning slave device 140B using the access code andtiming information acquired from the inquiry response packet. The pagingmessage sent by the mobile device is also a frequency hopsynchronization (FHS) packet containing all of the information requiredby the scanning slave device 140B to directly reply to the mobiledevice. This information includes clock value of the mobile device andthe mobile device's correct device access code. The scanning slavedevice 140B must be in the page scan state to allow the mobile device toconnect with it. Once in the page scan state, the scanning slave device140B will receive the paging packet that provides the clock timing andaccess code of the mobile device.

[0048] In a first embodiment, the scanning slave device 140B abortssending a page acknowledgment packet (page response), and instead,passes the clock value of the mobile device and the mobile device'scorrect device access code to a master device in the access point toestablish a connection with the mobile device. In one embodiment, themobile's information is passed to the piconet managing master device140A of the access point 140. In another embodiment, the mobile'sinformation is passed to a second master device 140C in the access point140. In either embodiment, the master device 140A or 140C receives themobile device's access code and clock values and uses them to send apage packet to the mobile device. The master device 140A or 140C usesthe information provided in the mobile device's paging packet, toestablish the estimated clock CLKE and access code of the mobile deviceto temporarily synchronize with it. If the mobile device is in aperiodic page scan mode, then a connection can be established with themaster device 140A or 140C. If it is the inquiring/paging master device140C that establishes the connection, then it passes the mobile'sconnection to the piconet managing master device 140A. Since, in thisembodiment, the inquiring/paging master device 140C is to become themaster of the connection to the mobile device, and then transfer thatconnection to the piconet managing master device 140A, theinquiring/paging master device 140C must be able to transfer aconnection having a frequency hop sequence synchronized with that of thepiconet managing master device 140A. To accomplish this, theinquiring/paging master device 140C sends an FHS paging packet to themobile device, giving the timing information and access code of thepiconet managing master device 140A. The FHS packet also contains a newactive member address (AM_ADDR) assigned to the mobile device, which isthe next available slave-member number for the access point piconetmanaging master device 140A. Then both the inquiring/paging masterdevice 140C and the mobile device have the frequency hop sequence of thepiconet managing master device 140A. The connection between the mobiledevice and the inquiring/paging master device 140C does not interferewith the piconet connections currently being managed by the piconetmanaging master device 140A, because the piconet managing master device140A may be programmed to ignore any active member address (AM_ADDR) ofa mobile device for which it has not yet assumed responsibility. Then,the inquiring/paging master device 140C transfers the connection formedwith the mobile device, to the access point piconet managing masterdevice 140A. This transfer includes passing to the managing masterdevice 140A, the active member address (AM_ADDR) assigned to the mobiledevice. The mobile device then becomes a piconet slave to the piconetmanaging master device 140A in the piconet 110.

[0049] In a second embodiment, the scanning slave device 140B isprogramed to respond to the mobile device's paging packet with a pageacknowledgment packet. This enables the two devices to form a connectionand both devices transition into the connection state. The mobile devicethat has initiated the connection assumes the role of a master deviceand the scanning slave device 140B assumes the role of a slave device ina temporary ad hoc network piconet. The scanning slave device 140B isprogrammed to then send a request to the mobile device to switchmaster/slave roles. If the mobile device agrees, then the scanning slavedevice 140B must send detailed information on its clock and access code,so that the mobile device can move onto the timing of the scanning slavedevice 140B. Since, in this embodiment, the scanning slave device 140Bis to become the master of the connection to the mobile device, and thentransfer that connection to the piconet managing master device 140A, thescanning slave device 140B must be able to transfer a connection havinga frequency hop sequence synchronized with that of the piconet managingmaster device 140A. To accomplish this, the scanning slave device 140Bsends an FHS packet the mobile device, giving the timing information andaccess code of the piconet managing master device 140A. The FHS packetalso contains a new active member address (AM_ADDR) assigned to themobile device, which is the next available slave-member number for theaccess point piconet managing master device 140A. Then both the scanningslave device 140B and the mobile device switch to the frequency hopsequence of the piconet managing master device 140A. The scanning slavedevice 140B then sends a POLL packet to the mobile device, which is nowa slave device, to test the new connection. Then, the scanning slavedevice 140B, which has assumed a temporary master role, transfers theconnection formed with the mobile device, to the access point piconetmanaging master device 140A. This transfer includes passing to themanaging master device 140A, the active member address (AM_ADDR)assigned to the mobile device. The mobile device then becomes a piconetslave to the piconet managing master device 140A in the piconet 110.

[0050] In the alternate embodiment of the invention, the access point140 also includes the inquiring/paging master device 140C. Theinquiring/paging master device 140C is programmed to transmit twoinquiry packets per slot on successive even slots. The inquiring/pagingmaster device 140C listens for a response in both halves of itsfollowing receive slot. The inquiring/paging master device is programmedto transmit inquiry and paging packets and establish a connection withmobile slave devices. Since, in this embodiment, the inquiring/pagingmaster device 140C is to become the master of the connection to themobile device, and then transfer that connection to the piconet managingmaster device 140A, the inquiring/paging master device 140C must be ableto transfer a connection having a frequency hop sequence synchronizedwith that of the piconet managing master device 140A. To accomplishthis, inquiring/paging master device 140C sends an FHS paging packet tothe mobile device, giving the timing information and access code of thepiconet managing master device 140A. The FHS paging packet also containsa new active member address (AM_ADDR) assigned to the mobile device,which is the next available slave-member number for the access pointpiconet managing master device 140A. Then both the inquiring/pagingmaster device 140C and the mobile device have the frequency hop sequenceof the piconet managing master device 140A. The inquiring/paging masterdevice 140C then passes the mobile's connection, including the activemember address (AM_ADDR) assigned to the mobile device, to the piconetmanaging master device 140A. The mobile device then becomes connected asa piconet slave to the piconet managing master device 140A in thepiconet 110.

[0051] The access point 140 in FIG. 1, is connected over line 147 to theinfrastructure network including the LAN 142 and Internet 144. TheInternet 144 is connected to content server 180 and other networks 184.The mobile device 100C is moving into the vicinity of the access point140 in FIG. 1. As is common in programming Bluetooth devices, mobiledevice 100C has been programmed to periodically transmit inquiry andpaging packets and to periodically enter the scan state to scan forinquiry and paging packets from other devices.

[0052] In FIG. 1A the access point 140 includes two devices, the piconetmanaging master device 140A and the scanning slave device 140B. Thisfigure shows the scanning slave device 140B receiving inquiry and pagingpackets at step 122 from the mobile device 100C. The paging packetreceived from the mobile device 100C contained the mobile device'saddress and clock values. In a first embodiment, after the access pointslave device 140B receives the inquiry packets and paging packets fromthe mobile device, the access point slave device 140B aborts thenormally subsequent page response at step 123, and passes the mobiledevice's address and clock values at step 124′ to the piconet managingmaster device 140A. In FIG. 11B the piconet managing master device 140Auses the mobile device's address and clock values to send a page packetat step 125′ to the mobile device 100C. The piconet managing masterdevice 140A uses the information provided in the mobile device's pagingpacket in step 122, to establish the estimated clock CLKE and accesscode of the mobile device to temporarily synchronize with it. The accesspoint master device can directly page the mobile device without needingto send an inquiry message and wait for its response. If the mobiledevice is in a periodic page scan mode, then a connection can beestablished at step 126 with the piconet managing master device 140A. Ifthe mobile device is programmed to periodically scan for inquiries andpages (which is a common programming practice), a connection can bereadily established with the access point master device. In thisembodiment, the access point master device can maintain the highesttraffic bandwidth and not impair the speed in establishing a connectionwith a new slave device. In FIG. 1C the mobile device 100C has become apiconet slave to the piconet managing master device 140A in the piconet110.

[0053] In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 1D, the access point 140includes three devices, the piconet managing master device 140A, thescanning slave device 140B, and the inquiring/paging master device 140C.This figure shows the scanning slave device 140B receiving an inquiryand page at step 122 from the mobile device 100C, aborting the pageresponse at step 123, and passing the mobile device's address and clockvalues at step 124 to the inquiring/paging master device 140C. In FIG.1E the inquiring/paging master device 140C uses the mobile device'saddress and clock values to send a page packet at step 125 to the mobiledevice 100C. The inquiring/paging master device 140C uses theinformation provided in the mobile device's paging packet in step 122,to establish the estimated clock CLKE and access code of the mobiledevice to temporarily synchronize with it. If the mobile device is in aperiodic page scan mode, then a connection can be established at step126 with the inquiring/paging master device 140C. In FIG. 1F theinquiring/paging master device 140C passes the mobile's connection instep 127 to the piconet managing master device 140A. Since, in thisembodiment, the inquiring/paging master device 140C is to become themaster of the connection to the mobile device, and then transfer thatconnection to the piconet managing master device 140A, theinquiring/paging master device 140C must be able to transfer aconnection having a frequency hop sequence synchronized with that of thepiconet managing master device 140A. To accomplish this, theinquiring/paging master device 140C sends an FHS paging packet to themobile device in step 125, giving the timing information and access codeof the piconet managing master device 140A. The FHS packet also containsa new active member address (AM_ADDR) assigned to the mobile device,which is the next available slave-member number for the access pointpiconet managing master device 140A. Then both the inquiring/pagingmaster device 140C and the mobile device have the frequency hop sequenceof the piconet managing master device 140A. Then, the inquiring/pagingmaster device 140C transfers the connection formed with the mobiledevice in step 127, to the access point piconet managing master device140A. This transfer includes passing to the managing master device 140A,the active member address (AM_ADDR) assigned to the mobile device. Themobile device then becomes a piconet slave to the piconet managingmaster device 140A in the piconet 110.

[0054] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2A, after the inquiry andpage have been received in step 222, the access point slave device 140Bestablishes a temporary piconet with the mobile device in step 223. InFIG. 2B the access point slave device 140B signals for a master-slaverole switch in step 224 and the mobile device 100C switches to the slaverole in step 225. Then, the access point slave device 140B, which hasassumed a temporary master role, transfers the connection formed withthe mobile device 100C, to the access point piconet managing masterdevice 140A at step 226. In FIG. 2C the mobile device 100C has become apiconet slave to the piconet managing master device 140A in the piconet110. When the access point slave device 140B signals for a master-slaverole switch, the access point slave device 140B imposes its clock ontothe paired mobile device 100C and they switch master/slave roles. Theclock value and address used by the access point slave device 140B inthe role switch is the clock and address of the access point masterdevice 140A. The active member address (AM_ADDR) assigned to the mobiledevice 100C is the next available slave-member number for the accesspoint master device 140A. In this manner, the bandwidth of theprogrammed master device 140A is not impaired when the access pointforms an initial connection with a mobile master device 100C.

[0055] There is a small probability that when slave device 140Bsynchronizes itself with the piconet managing master device 140A, thatinterference problems might arise if both devices are transmitting datain the same channel at the same time. The following two alternateembodiments avoid this chance happening. In these two alternateembodiments, the access point slave device 140B is modified so that 50%of the time it is an inquiring master device and 50% of the time it is aScanning slave device, which scans for inquires and pages. The mobiledevice 100C begins as a master mobile device.

[0056] [A] In the first of these two alternate embodiments, the piconetmanaging master device 140A enters Page Scan mode for a predeterminedshort time period. The following steps occur:

[0057] [1] The device 140B is in Inquiry Scanning mode.

[0058] [2] The device 140B hears master mobile device 100C 's Inquiry.

[0059] [3] The device 140B provides piconet managing master device 140Awith information that there is a mobile terminal Inquiring.

[0060] [4] The piconet managing master device 140A provides the device140B with information of its own FHS.

[0061] [5] The device 140B responds to the Inquiry with piconet managingmaster device 140A's FHS-packet.

[0062] [6] The device 140B informs piconet managing master device 140Ato enter to Page Scanning mode for e.g. 0.1 seconds.

[0063] [7] The piconet managing master device 140A enters Pagescanning-mode and receives master mobile device 100C's Paging packet.

[0064] [8] The piconet managing master device 140A negotiatesmaster/slave switch with master mobile device 100C (and gives theAM_Address).

[0065] [9] The piconet managing master device 140A activates existingpiconet to function as it was (with one additional mobile slave device100C).

[0066] [B] In the second of these two alternate embodiments, the device140B synchronizes itself with piconet managing master device 140A, butclock offset information is set to be, e.g. 50% different than that ofthe piconet managing master device 140A. The 50% clock offset differencemeans that if, for example, the hopping sequence is 79 hops, each 625microseconds the clock difference of 140 A and 140 B should be at leastthe 625 microseconds, preferably more (e.g. 2-3 times 625 microseconds).Devices 140A and 140B have the same BD_ADDR. The following steps occur:

[0067] [1] The device 140B hears master mobile device 100C's Inquiry,and responds to that with its own FHS packet (e.g., 1350 microsecondsahead of Device A's clock) and enters to Page Scanning-mode.

[0068] [2] The master mobile device 100C pages the device 140B andconnection is established.

[0069] [3] The device 140B queries an available AM_Address from piconetmanaging master device 140A.

[0070] [4] The device 140B negotiates a master/slave Switch and altersthe clock offset to synchronize with piconet managing master device 140Aand gives the available AM_Address received from piconet managing masterdevice 140A.

[0071] [5] The device 140B informs piconet managing master device 140Athat it has a new mobile slave device 100C.

[0072] [6] The piconet managing master device 140A can activate theconnection with new mobile slave device 100C.

[0073] In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 2D, after the inquiry andpage have been received in step 222, the access point slave deviceestablishes a temporary piconet with the mobile device in step 223. InFIG. 2E the access point slave device signals for a master-slave roleswitch in step 224 and the mobile device switches to the slave role instep 225. Then, the access point slave device, which has assumed atemporary master role, transfers the connection formed with the mobiledevice, to the access point piconet managing master device at step 226.In FIG. 2F the mobile device 100C has become a piconet slave to thepiconet managing master device 140A in the piconet 110.

[0074] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3A the access point masterdevice transmits inquiry and paging packets and establishes a connectionwith the mobile slave device. In FIG. 3B the mobile device 100C hasbecome a piconet slave to the piconet managing master device 140A in thepiconet 110.

[0075] In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 3C the inquiring/pagingmaster device 140C is transmitting inquiry and paging packets in step321 and establishing a connection with the mobile slave device in step322. The inquiring/paging master device 140C then passes the mobile'sconnection to the piconet managing master device 140A in step 323. InFIG. 3D the mobile device 100C has become connected as a piconet slavein step 324 to the piconet managing master device 140A in the piconet110.

[0076] In still another alternate embodiment, the three assignedBluetooth devices 140A, 140B, and 140C in FIG. 1, can change their“assignment” as the situation requires. For example, where the piconetmanaging master device 140A is already serving seven active slavedevices 100A, 100B, 100C, etc. and the scanning slave device 140Breceives an Inquiry from an eighth mobile device wanting service. Inthis case, the scanning slave device 140B can change its “assignment” toa second piconet managing master device and start serving the eighthmobile device. This can be done easily, because the control of thescanning slave device 140B is software based. Now, the access point canserve more than seven active mobile slave devices.

[0077]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein the accesspoint 140 includes two devices, the piconet managing master device 140Aand the hybrid master/slave device 140D. The hybrid master/slave device140D blends the features of the scanning slave device 140B and theinquiring/paging master device 140C. The hybrid master/slave device 140Dis programmed to periodically enter the inquiry scanning state and pagescanning state to listen for inquires and pages from mobile devices inthe vicinity, in a manner similar to that described for the scanningslave device 140B When the hybrid master/slave device 140D receives aninquiry or page packet from a mobile device, it transfers to the piconetmanaging master device 140A, the handling of the connection to themobile device, in a manner similar to that described for the scanningslave device 140B. The hybrid master/slave device 140D is furtherprogrammed to periodically enter the inquiry state and paging state totransmit inquires and pages to mobile devices in the vicinity, in amanner similar to that described for the inquiring/paging master device140C. When the hybrid master/slave device 140D establishes a connectionwith a mobile device, it transfers to the piconet managing master device140A, the handling of the connection to the mobile device, in a mannersimilar to that described for the inquiring/paging master device 140C.

[0078] In another alternate embodiment, the invention can be embodied asa wireless transceiver that is either a fixed station access point oralternately a mobile wireless transceiver. The managing master device inthe transceiver, manages existing connections with mobile slave devicesin a wireless network. The scanning slave device in the transceiver,forms connections with mobile master devices. The inquiring/pagingmaster device in the transceiver, transmits inquiry and paging packetsand establishes connections with potential slave devices that respond.In one implementation, the wireless transceiver is a stationary accesspoint coupled to an infrastructure network. In another implementation,the wireless transceiver is a mobile wireless transceiver. In stillanother embodiment, the scanning slave device and the inquiring/pagingmaster are the same hybrid device, the hybrid device being programmed toperiodically operate as the scanning slave device and alternately as theinquiring/paging master device.

[0079] The resulting invention solves the problem of how to maximizebandwidth of an access point or wireless transceiver and the speed ofits establishing a connection with both mobile master devices and mobileslave devices.

[0080] Although a specific embodiment of the invention has beendisclosed, it will be understood by those having skill in the art thatchanges can be made to that specific embodiment without departing fromthe spirit and the scope of the invention.

1-31. (canceled)
 32. A short-range RF access point for establishingconnections with mobile devices, comprising: at least one first wirelesstransceiver module operating as an access point slave device forscanning packets initiated by mobile devices within a coverage area ofthe access point and in response to a packet, outputting a controlsignal; and at least one second wireless transceiver module coupled tothe first module, operating as an access point master device fortransmitting messages in response to the control signal, forestablishing wireless connections with mobile devices.
 33. Theshort-range RF access point of claim 32 wherein the access point masterdevice transmits device detection and connection establishment messages.34. The short-range RF access point of claim 32 wherein the access pointslave device receives scanning device detection packets.
 35. Theshort-range RF access point of claim 32 wherein the scanning devicedetection packets are initiated by mobile devices within the coveragearea of the access point.
 36. The short-range RF access point of claim32 wherein the access point slave device passes control to the accesspoint master device upon receiving connection establishment messagesfrom a particular mobile device.
 37. The short-range RF access point ofclaim 32 further comprising: at least one third wireless transceiveroperating as an inquiring/paging master device for establishing aconnection with mobile devices that respond to its inquiries.
 38. Theshort-range RF access point of claim 37 further comprising: at least onehybrid device periodically performing the functions of the access pointslave device and the inquiring/paging master device
 39. A short-range RFaccess point for establishing connections with mobile devices,comprising: at least one first wireless transceiver module operating asan access point master device for transmitting device detection andconnection establishment messages for establishing wireless connectionswith mobile devices responding to the messages within the coverage areaof the access point; and at least one second wireless transceivermodules operating as an access point slave device for scanning devicedetection packets initiated by mobile devices within the coverage areaof the access point and passing control to the access point masterdevice upon receiving connection establishment message from a particularmobile device.
 40. The short-range RF access point of claim 32 furthercomprising: at least one third wireless transceiver operating as aninquiring/paging master device for establishing a connection with mobiledevices that respond to its inquiries.
 41. The short-range access pointof claim 40 further comprising: at least one hybrid device periodicallyperforming the functions of the access point slave device and theinquiring/paging master device
 42. A short-range RF access point forestablishing connections with mobile devices, comprising: at least onefirst wireless transceiver module operating as an access point masterdevice for transmitting messages for establishing wireless connectionswith mobile devices responding to the messages within the coverage areaof the access point; at least one second wireless transceiver modulecoupled to the access point master device and operating as an accesspoint slave device for scanning packets initiated by mobile deviceswithin the coverage area of the access point; and wherein there iscommon control among the master and slave devices.
 43. The short-rangeRF access point of claim 42 wherein the access point master devicetransmits device detection and connection establishment messages. 44.The short-range RF access point of claim 42 wherein the access pointslave device receives scanning device detection packets.
 45. Theshort-range RF access point of claim 42 wherein the scanning devicedetection packets are initiated by mobile devices within the coveragearea of the access point.
 46. The short-range RF access point of claim42 wherein the access point slave device passes control to the accesspoint master device upon receiving connection establishment messagesfrom a particular mobile device.
 47. The short-range RF access point ofclaim 42 further comprising: at least one third wireless transceiveroperating as an inquiring/paging master device for establishing aconnection with mobile devices that respond to its inquiries.
 48. Theshort-range RF access point of claim 47 further comprising: at least onehybrid device periodically performing the functions of the access pointslave device and the inquiring/paging master device.
 49. A short-rangeRF access point for establishing connections with mobile devices,comprising: at least one first wireless transceiver module operating asan independent access point master device for transmitting messages forestablishing wireless connections with mobile devices responding to themessages within the coverage area of the access point; and at least onesecond wireless transceiver module operating as an independent accesspoint slave device coupled to the independent access point master devicefor scanning packets initiated by mobile devices within the coveragearea of the access point wherein there is common control between themaster and slave devices.
 50. The short-range RF access point of claim49 wherein the access point master device transmits device detection andconnection establishment messages.
 51. The short-range RF access pointof claim 49 wherein the access point slave device receives scanningdevice detection packets.
 52. The short-range RF access point of claim49 wherein the scanning device detection packets are initiated by mobiledevices within the coverage area of the access point.
 53. Theshort-range RF access point of claim 49 wherein the access point slavedevice passes control to the access point master device upon receivingconnection establishment messages from a particular mobile device. 54.The short-range RF access point of claim 49 further comprising: at leastone third wireless transceiver operating as an inquiring/paging masterdevice for establishing a connection with mobile devices that respond toits inquiries.
 55. The short-range RF access point of claim 54 furthercomprising: at least one hybrid device periodically performing thefunctions of the access point slave device and the inquiring/pagingmaster device.
 56. A short-range RF access point for establishingconnections with mobile devices, comprising: at least one first wirelesstransceiver module operating as an access point master device fortransmitting device detection and connection establishment messages forestablishing wireless connections with mobile devices responding to themessages within the coverage area of the access point; and at least onesecond wireless transceiver modules operating as an inquiring/pagingmaster device and passing off to the mobile device the CLK clock timingand access code of the access point master device in establishing aconnection with the mobile device.
 57. The short-range RF access pointof claim 56 wherein the inquiring/paging master device hands off theconnection to the access point master device.
 58. A method in ashort-range RF access point for establishing connections with mobiledevices, comprising: operating at least one first wireless transceivermodule as an access point slave device for scanning packets initiated bymobile devices within a coverage area of the access point and inresponse to a packet, outputting a control signal; and operating atleast one second wireless transceiver module coupled to the first moduleas an access point master device for transmitting messages in responseto the control signal, for establishing wireless connections with mobiledevices.
 59. The method of claim 58 wherein the access point masterdevice transmits device detection and connection establishment messages.60. The method of claim 58 wherein the access point slave devicereceives scanning device detection packets.
 61. The method of claim 58wherein the scanning device detection packets are initiated by mobiledevices within the coverage area of the access point.
 62. The method ofclaim 58 wherein the access point slave device passes control to theaccess point master device upon receiving connection establishmentmessages from a particular mobile device.
 63. The method of claim 58further comprising: operating at least one third wireless transceiver asan inquiring/paging master device for establishing a connection withmobile devices that respond to its inquiries.
 64. The method of claim 58further comprising: periodically performing in at least one hybriddevice the functions of the access point slave device and theinquiring/paging master device.
 65. A medium in a short-range RF accesspoint, executable in a computer system ,for establishing connectionswith mobile devices, the medium comprising: program code for operatingat least one first wireless transceiver module as an access point slavedevice for scanning packets initiated by mobile devices within acoverage area of the access point and in response to a packet,outputting a control signal; and program code for operating at least onesecond wireless transceiver module coupled to the first module as anaccess point master device for transmitting messages in response to thecontrol signal, for establishing wireless connections with mobiledevices.
 66. The medium of claim 65 further comprising: program code inthe access point master device for transmitting device detection andconnection establishment messages.
 67. The medium of claim 65 furthercomprising: program code in the access point slave device for receivingscanning device detection packets.
 68. The medium of claim 65 furthercomprising: program code in the access point slave device for passingcontrol to the access point master device upon receiving connectionestablishment messages from a particular mobile device.
 69. The mediumof claim 65 further comprising: program code for operating at least onethird wireless transceiver as an inquiring/paging master device forestablishing a connection with mobile devices that respond to itsinquiries.
 70. The medium of claim 65 further comprising: program codefor periodically performing in at least one hybrid device the functionsof the access point slave device and the inquiring/paging master device.